“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
When I was about to graduate from the university, I went for a job interview with a prestigious MNC. During the interview, the MD asked, “What do you treasure most in life?” Very assuredly, I said, “Peace.” He replied, “You can’t find peace in this company.” Without pausing, I countered, "I disagree. Peace can be found anywhere. It is found within one’s heart!” Sure enough, I didn't get the job. On hindsight, I could have been more agreeable during the interview process. But I still hold the belief that peace is found in one's heart!
Anyway, this posting is not about job interviews, but rather on the subject of peace. Do you want to worry less? Imagine never being “anxious about anything”. Seems like an impossibility, right? We all have worries at work, in our homes, at school. So, how do I cope with worries?
Anyway, this posting is not about job interviews, but rather on the subject of peace. Do you want to worry less? Imagine never being “anxious about anything”. Seems like an impossibility, right? We all have worries at work, in our homes, at school. So, how do I cope with worries?
One motto which carried me through my university days was “aim for the best; expect the worst”. The second half of the motto was my in-built mechanism to handle stress, worries and disappointments. Since the worst is expected, everything else will turn out better! It is quite similar to what one real estate entrepreneur said, "if you can live with the downside risk, the upside will take care of itself".
Since I became a Christian, I learnt there is a better way to cope with worries and face an uncertain future. As the scripture (Philippians 4:6-7) suggests, I now turn my worries into prayers. Whenever I start to worry, I stop and pray. God may not always remove the issue (or problem) that causes my anxiety in the first place. Instead, He promises a “peace which surpasses all understanding”; a peace that the world cannot provide; a peace that guards our hearts (our feelings) and our minds (our thinking) regardless of circumstances, people, or things
that would otherwise steal our joy; a peace that doesn't mean the absence of trials on the outside, but it does mean a quiet confidence within.
photo: Miami (april 2010) Since I became a Christian, I learnt there is a better way to cope with worries and face an uncertain future. As the scripture (Philippians 4:6-7) suggests, I now turn my worries into prayers. Whenever I start to worry, I stop and pray. God may not always remove the issue (or problem) that causes my anxiety in the first place. Instead, He promises a “peace which surpasses all understanding”; a peace that the world cannot provide; a peace that guards our hearts (our feelings) and our minds (our thinking) regardless of circumstances, people, or things
that would otherwise steal our joy; a peace that doesn't mean the absence of trials on the outside, but it does mean a quiet confidence within. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in the absence of conflict, and in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control and He cares for me.
